Djokovic is already angry in his first match at Roland Garros

victory of Novak Djokovic by 6-3, 6-2 and 7-6 (1) in 2h.26′. The Serbian, 36 years old and world number 3, subduing a Grand Slam rookie, the American Aleksandar Kovacevic24 years old and nº 114. The legend eliminates the fan who took a picture with him as a child at the US Open, which keeps that memory fresh since his parents come from the extinct Yugoslavia, they were elite table tennis athletes .

Logically, Kovacevic he suffers the impression of having his idol in front of him in a sanctuary of this sport, the central Philippe Chatrier. A meeting without more for ‘No’, but not so much since he denoted a certain discomfort with himself, perhaps the product of an irregular tour on clay that has left many unknowns for himself and that it is up to him to clear them up or not.

The gusty wind didn’t help either. Sometimes violent of such intensity.

Dominating with authority, start of the third set, and Djokovic angry. Hearing a sporadic whistle because he argues with the chair umpire. He protests Djokovic because he considers that the sensor of the net tape does not work, that his ball has not touched it, far from it. Dialogue in vain

1-0 and 0-40, three first ‘break’ balls against Djokovic. He picks them up and yells wildly. Minutes later he turns to his box, complains. Twice he has a ‘break’ up, but he must wait for the ‘tiebreak’ to decide.

The Australian Open champion, irascible. He is facing the opportunity to win a third Roland Garros, which would mean adding the 23rd Grand Slam title, having the record for the most ‘big’ crowns for the first time, would leave behind the 22 of Rafael Nadala king of clay at home through injury, away from his temple for the first time since 2005.

However, in the clay session those who have stood out have been Carlos Alcaraz and, late in Rome, Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic gave way in the second round of Monte Carlo against the Italian Lorenzo Musetticould not with his compatriot Dusan Lajovic in Banja Luka. And, a more worrying reference for him, he yielded in Rome to the Dane Holger Rune in rooms, when he already wanted more to push himself towards Paris.

Along the way, also discomfort in the right elbow. He did not wear any protection under the sun in the French capital. Yes, he showed a bad temper when the date invited him to nap. Kovacevic they had lost their previous four games on clay this season.

Djokovic will have a more interesting test in the second round against the Hungarian Marton Fuscovics31 years old and No. 83. The record is 4-0 for the Serbian, but he has never measured forces with the muscular Magyar on clay.

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a bit angry Djokovicalthough not infrequently this state of mind serves as a vehicle for concentration, but doing what he always does: nineteen participations in Paris, he has successfully passed all the premieres.